Red Flags
What is one of the leading safety risks for preschoolers?
Motor vehicle injuries
How much weight does a toddler typically gain each year?
5lbs per year
Which communication technique is most appropriate for a preschool-aged child during a nursing assessment?
Speaking in short, simple sentences
A 4-year-old refuses to share toys with other children and insists on being first during playtime. Is this behavior developmentally appropriate, and how should the nurse respond?
Yes. This is developmentally appropriate for preschoolers. The nurse should reassure the caregiver, encourage cooperative play, and model positive social interactions.
How can you involve a toddler in care at the hospital?
Let them play with a stethoscope
What developmental red flag may be present if a 4-year-old cannot speak in clear, understandable sentences?
A speech or language delay.
This type of play is typical among toddlers, in which children play next to each other but not directly with one another.
Parallel play
A nurse is teaching a preschooler about handwashing. Which educational approach is most effective?
Demonstrating the steps and letting the child practice
During a well-child visit, a 5-year-old is unable to draw a person with at least six body parts and has difficulty following simple two-step directions. What should the nurse do next?
(Any 2) Perform further developmental assessment, document the findings, notify the healthcare provider, and refer the child for developmental evaluation or early intervention services if indicated.
True or false: It is appropriate to involve the toddler in care during a hospital stay.
True
What common household safety risk increases as preschoolers become more curious and able to climb and explore?
Accidental poisoning from medications or household cleaners.
By approximately what age is a toddler's birth weight expected to have quadrupled?
30 months (2 and a half years)
During communication with a preschool-aged child, the nurse should expect the child to:
Respond well to play and storytelling
A 3-year-old is found playing with an unlocked bottle of cleaning solution under the kitchen sink. What teaching should the nurse provide to the caregiver?
Store all medications and household chemicals in locked cabinets and out of children's reach, and keep products in their original containers. Can also use Mr. Yuck stickers
What is a common health problem in the toddler age?
Pinworms
What developmental red flag should be considered if a 4-5-year-old cannot hop on one foot?
A gross motor delay.
Name two normal physical or developmental characteristics commonly seen in toddlers.
Pot-bellied appearance, normal walking stance, visual acuity of about 20/40, vocabulary of around 400 words, improved hand-eye coordination, comfort/transition objects (blanket or stuffed animal), ritualistic routines. (Any 2)
Which nursing action best supports effective education for a preschooler?
Using pictures, toys, or role-play
A preschooler tells the nurse they have an imaginary friend and that they like to pretend they are a superhero. Should the nurse be concerned?
No. Imaginative play and imaginary friends are normal aspects of preschool development and help foster creativity and social development.
What is a response in toddlers that can become worse the longer it is put off?
Separation anxiety
What should the nurse do if developmental delays or other concerns are identified during a preschool well-child assessment?
Document the findings, notify the healthcare provider, educate the caregiver, and refer the child for developmental evaluation or early intervention services. (Any 2)
A nurse tells parents their 2-year-old has become a picky eater and seems to eat only one good meal each day. What normal developmental phenomenon explains this?
Physiologic anorexia
A nurse is preparing a preschooler for a blood pressure check. What is the best communication strategy?
Explain the procedure using simple words and allow the child to see the equipment
During a well-child visit, the parent says their 4-year-old has frequent tantrums because they want to do everything independently. According to Erikson's stage of development, how should the nurse respond?
Reassure the parent that this is normal. Encourage the child to make simple choices, praise successful attempts, and provide opportunities for independence while setting consistent limits.
What behaviors are expected with the toddler, and how should the nurse respond?
fear of strangers, encourage parental presence